Rachel's Blogs

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A Diagnosis of Inclusion for all Women 35-65?

A Diagnosis of Inclusion for all Women 35-65?

Any steps towards inclusivity in societal & cultural terms are cause for celebration but in medicine, that can come in the form of a 'diagnosis of inclusion', the opposite, of course, of a 'diagnosis of exclusion' and potentially as slippery and loose as it...

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Some Cracking! Cases

Practitioners have been bringing their most challenging cases to me for mentoring & supervision for over a decade, that's hundreds, in fact, probably thousands, of cases, tempting me to say, therefore I've seen 'everything'. Except of course I haven't. And each...

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Ever Watch Yourself Back Like…[Generalist V Specialist]

Ever Watch Yourself Back Like…[Generalist V Specialist]

ALL • THE • TIME Especially given I am now a relic, my original training not quite pre-industrial revolution but pre-specialisation obsession.  So that once I started seeing paying patients I just saw, and have seen...everyone. And because our patients always drive...

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Time for Change

After running a deeply rewarding Group Mentoring program for over a decade it is indeed time for change.  I've witnessed first-hand the exceptional growth of thousands of practitioners, and in turn they have guaranteed and forged my own. It's provided me, & my...

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Thyroid V Virus – Not New Just Ask Fritz

Ever feel like the universe has been preparing you just for this moment?  Me neither really…but in this one weird way – yes! So hear me out.  Thyroid disease as a result of a viral infection was first described in 1902 by Dr Fritz De Quervain and of course he and his...

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What If We Had It All Wrong?!

What If We Had It All Wrong?!

I shared this recently on socials but for those of us that don't hang around that 'hood I am sharing again here because it is just too important. While we're busy updating our knowledge regarding reproductive health for women (soooo many huge headlines of...

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Health is in the Eye of the Beholder

Just last week the sickest patient I've encountered this year (& for perhaps some time) asked me, if I ever see really sick people. This 60 something-year-old farmer has a great sense of humour, so I immediately thought he was joking but as soon as I looked up...

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Individualising Adiposity

The debasing of BMI as a stand-alone assessment of weight is long overdue given its significant limitations and lack of meaningfulness with respect to overall health. This coincides with a bigger societal and cultural shift towards inclusivity which...

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Getting Some Pathology Perspective

Getting Some Pathology Perspective

The builder responsible for my reno arrived one day with a frown. When I asked him what was wrong - he said he'd just had his second high PSA result and now the doctor wants him to see a specialist. It was apparent that he felt this was a real cause for concern.  Talk...

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Are We Still Talking About Histamine?!

Are We Still Talking About Histamine?!

Heck yeah. It's going to take a lot more than 1 push-back post to turn this ship around!  Likewise, I was only getting started with my recent Update in Under 30 episode, 'What's Hiding Behind Histamine' 🤓😂 & part 2 has just been released where we...

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More Histamine Intolerance? Really?! 🤐

More Histamine Intolerance? Really?! 🤐

I can barely bring myself to write the word given how overused it has been of late 🤐🙄😯😕🙃 But I gotta say something!  If we have found ourselves currently in a place where every second (or indeed single!) patient has a 'histamine...

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What do you know about Black Pepper?

What do you know about Black Pepper?

I am just back from the NHAA Symposium - all informationed-up and raring to share!! LOL I learned some great stuff about Black Pepper and that made me think about a case from mentoring last month🤓 One of the presentations was from Jason Hawrelak during which...

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Another Iron Question For Us All

Another Iron Question For Us All

What level of Serum Ferritin represents 'empty'?  As in complete depletion of iron stores? Is it any value below the minimum of the reference range? e.g. < 30 mcg/L Or does the bottom of the reference range allow for a buffer and 'empty' is substantially lower than...

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Everyday Q&As – HPA and Sleep Disorders

Everyday Q&As – HPA and Sleep Disorders

Practitioner:  I haven't yet done the MasterCourse II in Thyroid & Adrenal Diagnostics but I want to better understand the HPA of that patient we discussed with significant sleep disorders.  Waking blood? Saliva? Urine? Which one? Rachel: Well, you've heard me say...

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Everyday Q&As – More Postnatal Iodine (Not) Fun

Everyday Q&As – More Postnatal Iodine (Not) Fun

Rachel: And sometimes emails from practitioners provide me with both the question and their own answer to their question even! Cameron Barker's (Ex-student long-term learner & mentee) email arrives titled: Unexpected Source of Iodine in Placenta Caps?! A 32 yo...

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